Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Friends of Green Lake invite the community to a meeting to learn about the alum treatment planned for Green Lake in the spring of 2016. At this meeting Seattle Parks and Recreation and Herrera Environmental consultants will present information about the implementation of the alum treatment and answer community questions.

The 2016 alum treatment is intended to reduce phosphorus levels in the lake, limiting cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms and improving recreational use of the lake. Previous lake-wide alum applications in 1991 and 2004 effectively limited algae blooms and improved water quality. In order to preserve the health and safety of Green Lake, Seattle Parks and Recreation is treating the lake with alum again this spring.

This meeting is an opportunity to learn more about the alum treatment. Seattle Parks and Recreation would like to thank the Friends of Green Lake for their continued stewardship of the lake. Friends of Green Lake (FOGL) is a non-profit group in Seattle, Washington, whose mission is to ensure a healthy Green Lake for wildlife and recreation, for today and tomorrow. For more information please visit http://friendsofgreenlake.org/

Toxic algae blooms caused Green Lake to be closed to all water contact activities during the fall of 2012, 2013 & 2014. Last year it was closed for swimming in September 2015.

Toxic blue-green algae in Green Lake.

In 2004 the lake was treated with alum and the water remained clear for nearly a decade. Funding for another alum treatment is in the City’s 2016 budget.

Friends of Green Lake asks you to PLEASE WRITE to the City Council, Mayor Ed Murray, and the Parks Superintendent to thank them for including the funding for another Green Lake clean up in the budget to keep Green Lake clean, healthy, and beautiful for people and wildlife. In your letter be sure to let them know how you use and value Green Lake and that Green Lake serves people of all backgrounds and income levels.

Addresses:City Council: council@seattle.govParks Superintendent: Jesus.aguirre@seattle.govMayor: To contact the Mayor, go to seattle.gov, scroll down to the Mayor’s photo on the right and click on “Contact” for the contact form.

Funding for a Green Lake Study was included in the 2015 City Budget. The Alum Treatment is planned for March-April, 2016.